Board signs off on $85,000 in special-ed transfers; staff to trial new substitute vendor after 48% rate dispute

District finance staff told the board that the incumbent substitute-services vendor (Kelly) presented a proposed rate increase "to the tune of about 48%," prompting the business office to seek alternatives. Ryan summarized outreach to other districts and vendors and said Educational Staffing Services (ESS) offered significantly lower rates and broader services, including specialized special-education substitutes, custodial and nursing coverage.

Ryan said administrators used policy 3323 to enter a short-term contract with ESS beginning March 10 through June 30 to prevent service disruption and to allow a trial period; ESS committed in writing not to raise rates starting July 1 if the district continued the contract. "They were unable to justify where they were coming up with that number," Ryan said of Kelly's price proposal, explaining the decision to pursue an alternative vendor.

Separately, the board considered and approved three special-education transfer notices (25-1, 25-2 and 25-3) moving funding from private tuition lines into public tuition, special-education transportation and home/hospital tutor services. A board member moved the transfer package and the board approved the motion; the transfers total approximately $85,000.

Administrators said substitute staffing is invoiced monthly by service delivered and that costs fluctuate by type of substitute (teacher, nurse, specialized special-ed substitute). Finance staff also said the office is building historical internal usage data to improve future budgeting and transfer forecasting.

Next steps: the district will monitor the ESS trial period and return to the board with recommendations before committing to a longer contract; staff will post monthly invoicing data and provide updated transfer and budget reconciliation information to the finance subcommittee.